The gravity world is at the forefront of mountain bike technology, as it puts unbelievable stress on equipment. Our pursuit to give riders the best product on which to perform has culminated in a groundbreaking suspension partnership with Öhlins to develop the ultimate downhill racing shock, the Öhlins TTX. Exclusively for the Demo 8 and Enduro EVO, development on the TTX began in 2012, and the goal was clear: engineer a shock that deliver the control, performance, and adjustability the downhill rider demands. With Öhlins proven twin-tube design and fresh perspective on mountain bike suspension, plus influence from our MTB and suspension teams, we have surpassed the TTX’s performance expectations. For 2014, the Öhlins TTX will be exclusive to the Demo 8 and the Enduro EVO.

WHO IS ÖHLINS?

WHAT The Swedish suspension company has been the pinnacle of world-class suspension performance since its inception in 1976, and won its first motorsports world title just two years later. Öhlins development partners include Lotus, Ducati, and Lamborghini, and they’ve captured championships in Moto GP to Le Mans to off-road. Their attention to detail is unmatched, while their drive to win races and deliver the very best product is what brought Specialized and Öhlins together. Mike “Mick” McAndrews has been leading our suspension development and his team has cultivated the relationship with Öhlins, recognizing the synergy that could be had with the FSR system and the MTB team at Specialized.

WHAT MAKES THE ÖHLINS TTX SPECIAL?

WHAT TTX is the only shock technology that truly offers low hysteresis damping performance. This translates into a ride quality of bump absorption and traction that is unmatched in our industry today. This performance gain is substantial and easily appreciated by the rider as straight line stability and corner speed improves dramatically. The shock uses Öhlins patented twin-tube design to separate compression from rebound, and has been custom made for only Specialized. The TTX also uses spherical bearings on the forward shock mount to allow the shock to rotate while the bike is under side-load, an advancement proven in the motocross industry by greatly improving cornering traction on rough terrain.